The Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) with support from the AARP Foundation, released a research brief that elevates the importance of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for older adults and the positive impacts of the temporary
increase in SNAP benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In September 2021, FRAC conducted phone interviews with 25 older adults from six states (California, Idaho, Illinois, New York, Tennessee, and Wisconsin) and Washington, D.C.
The 25 respondents all have lived experience with hunger, poverty, and SNAP, and they provided important insights that should be taken into account in any effort to improve the program’s effectiveness to better meet the needs of people struggling to put food on the table.

Older adult respondents shared how SNAP increases during the pandemic positively impacted their food purchases, physical and mental health, and ability to pay bills and
juggle other expenses. Conversely, the research also highlights how inadequate benefit amounts can result in trade-offs, which can take a toll on older adults’ physical and mental health, and affect their ability to purchase nutritious food throughout the month, pay bills, or cover expenses.

For more detail, see the full research brief here.